October Baseball: Previewing Every Playoff Team
Finally, October baseball is here. The regular season has concluded. The field is set. After one of the most memorable and exciting regular seasons to date, the ten best teams have been revealed to compete for hardware. Each team has its strengths and weaknesses, and we’re going to look at each and every one of them.
Tampa Bay Rays
Regular-season record: 100-62
Manager: Kevin Cash
Ceiling: World Series winners
Floor: ALDS exit
Starters: The starters will most likely consist of Shane McClanahan, Shane Baz, Luis Patino, and Michael Wacha. However, we saw in the Yankees series this past weekend that Cash had them on a short leash, as no starter went more than 5 innings. Cash could go in many different directions with the staff, as he likes to use the opener strategy again and again.
X-factors and what to expect: The young talent in Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco are big difference-makers in the offense, along with the veteran presence of Nelson Cruz and Mike Zunino. Expect the Rays offense to swing for the fences and be aggressive at all times. Trust Cash, he’ll get it done. He is going to play the matchups and platoon in every game. The Rays are going to win their games with their bullpen and their 3.68 ERA.
Chicago White Sox
Regular-season record: 93-69
Manager: Tony La Russa
Ceiling: ALCS, World Series appearance (less likely)
Floor: ALDS loss
Starters: La Russa will run with Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon, Lucas Giolito, and Dylan Cease. Realistically, this is one of the best rotations among postseason teams. The South Side’s rotation has to be on and is ready to do damage in October.
X-factors and what to expect: The White Sox are due for a much better performance than last year. They are a very interesting team. Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Jose Abreu, and Tim Anderson are ready to shine after a poor 2020 postseason. The Astros will be a tough matchup, but their rotation has to be ready for the challenge that follows postseason baseball. Additionally, Tony La Russa knows a thing or two about October as he has the experience in the postseason.
Houston Astros
Regular-season record: 95-67
Manager: Dusty Baker
Ceiling: ALCS appearance
Floor: Loss in ALDS
Starters: Lance McCullers Jr., Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, and Jose Urquidy will most likely get the nods for the ALDS. Zack Grienke would be an emergency start and is likely to be in the bullpen.
X-factors and what to expect: If the Astros are to do damage in October, the damage is going to come from the offense. Forget 2017, this team is good, and they proved that in 2021. Along with the offense, they have to run the bases, provide defense, and play smart baseball. Don’t let the ‘Stros get hot, it won’t be good for their opponents.
Boston Red Sox
Regular-season record: 92-70
Manager: Alex Cora
Ceiling: ALCS appearance
Floor: Loss in Wild Card game vs Yankees
Starters: Nathan Eovaldi will start the Wild Card game against the Yankees on Tuesday, October 5. He has a 3.47 ERA at Fenway Park this season and a 3.71 ERA against the Yankees. He is in line for a great start, as he also has a 1.61 ERA in Postseason play. Chris Sale will be unavailable for the Wild Card game after throwing 62 pitches in Sunday’s win against the Nationals. He is available to pitch in a potential ALDS appearance against Tampa Bay. Nick Pivetta and Eduardo Rodriguez will also pitch as starters for Boston.
X-factors and what to expect: As for the Wild Card, the Sox have to jump on Cole early and trust Eovaldi. A big game from Rafael Devers would be huge. Be aggressive and go all out. It’s win or go home. As for the ALDS, Xander Bogaerts needs to turn it around and Boston MUST play good defense. Like the Astros, don’t count the Sox out, they’re due for some fight after a mediocre second half.
New York Yankees
Regular-season record: 92-70
Manager: Aaron Boone
Ceiling: ALDS
Floor: Lose in Wild Card vs Red Sox
Starters: Gerrit Cole will start the Wild Card game. Cole has not been particularly good in Fenway during his career. He’s had his bad outings, but he is the guy for this situation. This is why Cole was signed. Nestor Cortes, Jordan Montgomery, Corey Kluber, and Jameson Taillon will start the following games if the Yankees were to advance.
X-factors and what to expect: They’re going to come out swinging against Eovaldi. They have momentum heading into the wildcard game following Sunday’s walk-off against Tampa and a solid second half against Boston. If they advance, they have to be consistent. Roster-wise, the Yankees have one of the best teams left, but it means nothing without consistent play.
Atlanta Braves
Regular-season record: 88-74
Manager: Brian Snitker
Ceiling: NLDS (sorry, Braves fans)
Floor: NLDS
Starters: The Braves will use Charlie Morton, Huascar Ynoa, Max Fried, and Ian Anderson for the rotation. Solid across the board; nothing crazy, but they will get the job done. Huascar Ynoa has had a great year out of nowhere posting a 1.11 WHIP in 18 games.
X-factors and what to expect: Don’t get me wrong: this Braves team is fun and exciting to watch. Their infield of Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Dansby Swanson hit 120 homers combined. The diamond has to continue to mash if the Braves are to make some noise. In reality, the Braves will face some trouble against the juggernaut Brewers team. The Braves proved they are the team out of the NL East, but they still stand as big underdogs against Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Brewers
Regular-season record: 95-67
Manager: Craig Counsell
Ceiling: World Series winners
Floor: NLCS loss
Starters: Without a doubt the best rotation of any postseason team, the Brewers should have no problem with Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta starting Games 1, 2, and 3 for them. Adrian Houser will most likely pitch as a starter more than once this postseason, as well.
X-factors and what to expect: Hot take, but not really: this Brewers team can win it all. Ride the wave with the Three Muskateers; they are one of the most dominant trios we’ve seen in a while. Bank on the May acquisition of Willy Adames to keep raking. He will be big for the club down the stretch. Christian Yelich is due. After a terrible 2020-21, the Crew needs Yeli to be vintage Yeli. Expect wins. Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta will give the Brewers a good chance to win the first 3 games of the NLDS, then the NLCS.
San Francisco Giants
Regular-season record: 107-55
Manager: Gabe Kapler
Ceiling: World Series champs
Floor: NLDS
Starters: Potential NL Manager of the Year Gabe Kapler will throw Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, Johnny Cueto, Logan Webb, and Alex Wood. No big names there, but every single one of these guys will give San Fran a chance at a W.
X-factors and what to expect: What a year for the Giants. After just missing the playoffs in 2020, the Giants surprised everyone this year, winning 107 games. The more and more I think about it, the more and more this team reminds me of the 2013 Red Sox. This team has depth: Gausman, DeSclafani, Cueto, Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, Wilmer Flores, Evan Longoria, Darin Ruf. It’s a little crazy. If you’re the Giants, you have to beat the Dodgers. Take care of business against LA and it only gets easier. With LA as the favorite in the NL Wild Card game on Wednesday night, the Giants would then play them in the NLDS. Stick to the plan, and the Giants are the most likely to win it all.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Regular-season record: 106-56
Manager: Dave Roberts
Ceiling: World Series champs; don’t let the WC game appearance fool you.
Floor: Lose in Wild Card game vs Cardinals
Starters: Max Scherzer will start the Wild Card game. Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, and Tony Gonsolin will follow.
X-factors and what to expect: The Dodgers have the coaching, experience, and roster to win it all. There is no doubt about that. A couple of things need to fall into place, though. Mookie Betts needs to perform like his 2018 self. With Max Muncy injured, the Dodgers are going to need all the firepower they can get. Cody Bellinger needs to come up clutch. After all, it can’t get much worse than his abysmal 2021 season. The Dodgers got the short end of the stick, and they are not going down without a fight.
St. Louis Cardinals
Regular-season record: 90-72
Manager: Mike Schildt
Ceiling: NLDS appearance
Floor: Lose in Wild Card vs Dodgers
Starters: Veteran Adam Wainwright will pitch to Yadier Molina in the NL Wild Card Game vs the LA Dodgers. The St. Louis rotation is up for grabs right now, but Jack Flaherty, JA Happ, Kwang Hyun Kim, Jon Lester, and Miles Mikolas could all get a start for the Cardinals if they make it past the win-or-go-home on Wednesday.
X-factors and what to expect: Without the 17 game win streak in September, who knows if the Cardinals would be here today. Definitely one of the shallower October teams, they will try to win and advance this Fall. Dodgers, then maybe the Giants.; it is going to be tough. Nothing breakout outfielder Tyler O’Neill and Gold Glove corner infielders Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt can’t handle. Bank on Waino and Yadi being dominant on Wednesday against a tough LA offense, because they are going to need it.
Let the towel-waving, screaming at the TV, and craziness ensue. October is here.
